A young man’s wisdom on the “most human” of all instruments

At 19, Narek Hakhnazaryan’s goal is to be one of the world’s great cellists

by Florence Avakian

Published: Saturday March 08, 2008

New York - "The voice of the cello is the most human voice of all instruments, except, maybe for the duduk," says Narek Hakhnazaryan. "But that's because I am Armenian." The gifted 19-year old cellist has just become one of the two First Prize winners of the January 2008 prestigious Young Concert Artists International Auditions.

Narek also was the First Prize winner of the 2006 Aram Khachaturian International Competition in Armenia, when he was only 17, and a prize winner in the 2007 Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow. He has been the recipient of a coveted scholarship from the Rostropovich Russian Performing Arts Fund, and has already performed as a soloist in Russia, China, Japan, Korea, England, Greece, Turkey, Canada, and the United States.
On October 21, Narek will give a solo concert at Zankel Hall in Carnegie Hall, and on October 27, he will perform another solo recital at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Future concerts are slated for Philadelphia and Minnesota.

Wise beyond his years, he modestly shrugs off these Herculean accomplishments, and credits his parents and teachers with his success. Born in Yerevan, he grew up with parents who are professional musicians: father Suren a violinist, and a member of the Komitas Quartet, and mother Gayane, a pianist. Both were long time professors at the Yerevan Conservatory of Music, and currently teach at the world-famous Moscow Conservatory of Music.
Despite this lineage, however, all Narek ever wanted to do was ... play football. His parents had other ideas.
"My father wanted me to be a violinist, but during that period, my mother who loved the cello and often played with cellists, guided me to the cello," he explained matter-of-factly in fluent English, at an exclusive interview during his recent visit to New York, where he had come for a photo shoot and to sign future concert contracts.
"The abilities of the cello are enormous. On the cello, you can play like a duduk, as well many other instruments. On the duduk, or the violin, you can't play so many timbres. The cello can be a whole orchestra. It's very universal," he notes with obvious enthusiasm.

"However, the problem with most cellists is that instead of playing the cello sound, they're playing all other sounds."

Narek's first teacher -- whom he calls "the most important because he gives you everything" -- was his own father. At age six, the boy started his studies at the Sayat Nova School of Music; he recalled the school as a place with "very good teachers and a very wise director."

Between a friend and a teacher

Narek's instructor was the acclaimed Zareh Sarkisyan, "a great teacher: an inspiration. He was like a compass, very wise. He never ordered, never screamed. He advised with a smile. However, if you didn't do what he said, you were a dead man. He was the middle between a friend and a teacher. He knew when to be a friend, and when to be a teacher. A teacher can make or break you," he said reflectively.

Five years later, at age 11, as a result of auditions in Armenia, Narek made his first trip to Moscow, under the sponsorship of the "New Names" program. His teacher became the celebrated Alexey Seleznyov, "also very wise."
Those days when he studied in Moscow were harsh economic times in Armenia. Food, fuel, and jobs were in short supply; his father stayed in Yerevan to earn money for the family -- which also includes brothers Tigran, 29, a conductor; and Levon, 34, a pianist -- while his mother "left everything and came with me to Moscow."

"I can never forget what my parents did for me. Our family was separated for seven years," he told me.

Currently, Narek Hakhnazaryan is a second year student at the Moscow Conservatory of Music. He practices about two to three hours a day, something he thoroughly enjoys.

And he regards competitions as helpful. "In competitions, you cannot make mistakes. In concerts, you can play as you want. Competitions help me not to be afraid of playing in concerts," he noted thoughtfully.

Writings like a Bible

His favorite composer is Beethoven. "I love his music, and have read his letters and his will, which was written when he was depressed during a profound crisis in his life. These writings for me are like a Bible. Beethoven first is a genius person, before being a genius composer. After reading all these materials, you listen to his music differently."

Among other unique composers for him, he lists Bach, Mahler, Stravinsky and Prokofiev. "Sometimes, I like Schumann and Chopin," he added.

During the Tchaikovsky Competition, Narek became a fan of Shostakovich; but he commented that "[Shostakovich's] music will die after 50 or 100 years, because it was written and dedicated to his personal war with the Soviet Union. During the 1930s and 1940s, most of his important friends were killed. Shostakovich was in danger all of his life. And every note of his music reflects this."

Prokofiev's music will live much longer, he predicted. "His music is universal. His Romeo and Juliet is unique. Nothing can compare with it." However, Narek conceded that Prokofiev's music is hard to listen to. "If you like it, you will be a fan. If not, you will hate it."

He observed that the Soviet Union was a country that "didn't need culture. It already had great culture. But it was also a country of great power, and all culture was geared to make the Soviet Union appear all-powerful. And this relates directly to Aram Khachaturian," he noted. "Khachaturian composed at the right time, and became more successful than Shostakovich or Stravinsky."

Commenting on his first place win in the 2006 Khachaturian Competition, where 40 participants (Narek being the youngest) competed from 11 countries, he declared proudly: "It was more important to win because it took place in Armenia, my home. I had no choice. I had to win, even though it was difficult for me psychologically." In the Tchaikovsky Competition, he became the second youngest prizewinner since 1916.

His talents extend to other fields. Narek is a member of the Moscow Conservatory of Music badminton team, which he proudly says will go to the championships. "My dream was to play tennis, but it's not good for the hands." He also likes to read literature, and loves World War II movies, as well as films by Fellini, Tarkovsky, and Bergman.

My home is Armenia

"I am very proud to be Armenian," Narek Hakhnazaryan said. "Armenia for me is the land, the soil. I may live in different places, but my home is Armenia. It will never be any other."

His future goals include having a family and "a good personal life. I know what I want. I think I can make the right decisions. I have been lucky because I have many good friends and contacts," he said.

"Most important, every child that I meet likes me. They understand better than adults. Like animals, they are pure, innocent, and have the right instincts."

Harkening back to his favorite theme, he noted that the "best cellist is the one who has less bad things. There are many good cellists, but very few great cellists. I hope to be one of them."